The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) announced on Tuesday, Aug. 27, that it had concluded its 12-day leptospirosis response operations at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) and San Lazaro Hospital.
According to the PRC, this effort aimed to address the surge in leptospirosis cases in areas impacted by flooding during Typhoon Carina.
Upon discovering the alarming situation, PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dick Gordon promptly mobilized medical professionals and a team of volunteer nurses to offer healthcare support at NKTI and San Lazaro Hospital—two Metro Manila hospitals with a high number of leptospirosis patients.
“We’ve expanded our critical support in NKTI and San Lazaro Hospital, where our dedicated medical teams provided care to those affected,” Gordon said.
“The Red Cross is committed to being there for our people, ensuring that every Filipino receives the care they need during these challenging times,” he added.
The 12-day operations at NKTI, which concluded on Aug. 21 with a 24-hour shift schedule, assisted 7 patients. The efforts involved 49 PRC nurses and student nurses, including specialized dialysis nurses who provided care for severe cases.
PRC noted that assistance at San Lazaro Hospital, which concluded on Aug. 25, supported 98 patients. This effort involved 74 PRC nurses and student nurses working in rotating shifts.
PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang praised all the PRC medical teams and volunteers who served during the organization's leptospirosis operations.
“The power of PRC lies in its dedicated staff and volunteers,” Pang said as she expressed gratitude to PRC’s hardworking health services team, medical staff, student nurses, and those who contributed to the success of its response.
Meanwhile, NKTI Executive Director Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete noted that Gordon was the first official to reach out to NKTI, offering help and support to augment their nursing staff.
She explained that they needed to open a dedicated leptospirosis ward and convert another area into a leptospirosis ward due to the increasing number of cases.
In addition to providing hospital support, the PRC extended aid to communities through its 102 chapters nationwide, distributing medical supplies and relief items to those most affected during and after Typhoon Carina.